PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aryah Thurston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Angel Face (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thurston
vs
Face

160 cm
22
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

195 cm
19
138 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Alpha-Omega
Alpha-Omega

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aryah Thurston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Angel Face!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Alec Ball and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thurston rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Face moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Face fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Thurston shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Face pushes Thurston off looking to stand but Thurston dives back in and keeps control.

Thurston is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Face doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thurston.

Face pushes Thurston off and gets back to his feet.
Face throws a series of punches but Thurston moves out of range.

Thurston scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Thurston winds up and cracks Face with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Thurston stops Face from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Face can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thurston lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Thurston tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Face.

Face manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Thurston shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Thurston showed some decent athleticism there.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Thurston wants to take a breather but Face is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thurston trying to mount his opponent but Face defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thurston is trying to control the action in half guard but Face is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Face pushes Thurston off and gets back to his feet.
Thurston shoots in but no luck this time.
Thurston is breathing heavily.
Thurston avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thurston avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thurston dodges the punch combination from Face.
Face misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thurston fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Thurston drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Thurston is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Face knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Face is trying to buck Thurston off.
Face taking punishment in the form of punches.
Face gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Face tries to buck Thurston off but he can't manage it.
Thurston has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Face's face.
Face is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Thurston landing shots from mount.
Thurston lands a big shot there that rocks Face but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Thurston has control of Face's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Face regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Thurston throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Face because Thurston loaded up on that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thurston fails to move to back control.
Face is trying to stand up.
Thurston can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Face is looking to escape.

Thurston working for a submission but Face is keeping him at bay.
Thurston throws some wild stikes that Face manages to avoid easily.
Thurston is landing with some decent strikes but Face is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Thurston looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Face is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Face is bucking up trying to escape but Thurston cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Face is bucking up trying to escape but Thurston cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Thurston has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Face really wants to buck Thurston off and get back to his feet.
Thurston lands a big elbow.
Face is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Thurston lands a nice shot to the head.
Thurston punishing his opponent with strikes.
A nice elbow there by Thurston.
Thurston lands a big elbow.
Face blocking the ground and pound.
Thurston tries to control but Face wriggling away.

Face bucks up and throws Thurston to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Thurston dodges the punch combination from Face.
Thurston slips a jab from Face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aryah Thurston dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thurston scores with a takedown into Face's guard.
Face is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Thurston drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Thurston jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Thurston is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Thurston wants to stand but Face has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Face pushes Thurston off and scrambles back to his feet.
Face misses with a wild combination.
Thurston takes a jab right on the kisser.
Thurston takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Face but Face pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thurston misses with a takedown attempt - Face sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thurston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thurston takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Face misses with a two punch combination.
Face misses with the combination.
Thurston takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Aryah Thurston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thurston misses with a takedown attempt - Face sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aryah Thurston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thurston ducks right into an uppercut from Face.
Thurston tries to clinch but Face is having none of it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thurston.
Face throws a half hearted mid kick.
Thurston swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A combination from Face does no damage.
Face swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Face swinging wilding here.
Face throws a series of punches but Thurston moves out of range.
Thurston wants to clinch.
Thurston changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Face tries to avoid it but Thurston manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Face to the ground. Face escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Face as he avoids it easily.
Face will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Face but Face pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Face lands a head kick. Thurston smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Thurston dips to his left and cracks Face with an uppercut!
No luck for Thurston with that takedown attempt.
Face swinging wilding here.
Angel Face is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thurston fails with a takedown attempt.
Face misses with a double jab.

Thurston drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Face kicks Thurston off and gets to his feet.
Thurston fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thurston shoots in looking for a takedown. Face tries to sprawl out of it but Thurston keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Face manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Face but Face pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nice takedown defense from Face. No joy for Thurston on that attempt.
Face lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thurston circles away quickly and effectively.
Aryah Thurston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Face but Face pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Face throws a right hand that Thurston ducks under and follows up with a left that Thurston also avoids with ease.
Face throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thurston misses with a head kick.
Face keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Face lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Thurston circles away quickly and effectively.
Face throws a right and a left that Thurston avoids nicely.

Thurston closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Thurston landing strikes.
Face is pushing Thurston's head away, looking to escape. Thurston manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thurston tries to advance to mount but Face denies him.
Thurston wants to control but Face is keeping him busy.

Thurston tries for a kimura but Face is defending well.
Face pushes Thurston away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Thurston gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Face taking punishment in the form of punches.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Thurston shoots in and drives through. Face sprawls well.
Thurston fails to land the takedown.
Face will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Face fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thurston throws a one two combo.
A head kick misses from Face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aryah Thurston will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Face throws a nice looking combination but Thurston bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Face but Face pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Face looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Face will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thurston closes this distance looking for a takedown but Face circles away.
Thurston shoots for a takedown but Face saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aryah Thurston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Face works over Thurston's head and body with a nice combination.
Face scores with a one two! Thurston had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Thurston blocks a head kick by Face.
Face tries a head kick but it misses.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Face as he avoids it easily.
No joy there for Face, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Face tries a head kick but it misses.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Face as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Danga de danga de dang - Face scores with a four punch combination!
Face lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Good standup being displayed there by Thurston as he connects with a hook.
Thurston fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Face misses with a double jab.
Thurston connects with a right hand. Face shakes it off.
Thurston misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Face stalks Thurston and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thurston's face. Thurston staggers backwards, shaken.
Face stuffs the takedown.
Thurston fails to land the takedown.
Thurston fails in his attempt to clinch.
A combination from Face does no damage.
Thurston shoots in looking for a takedown. Face tries to sprawl out of it but Thurston keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Face manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No joy there for Face, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thurston throws a head kick that misses.
Face throws a right and a left that Thurston avoids nicely.
Face throws a nice looking combination but Thurston bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thurston fails with a takedown attempt.
Thurston shoots in looking for a takedown. Face tries to sprawl out of it but Thurston keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Face manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Face stuffs the takedown.
Face throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thurston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Face but Face pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thurston dodges the punch combination from Face.
Face fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thurston will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Thurston shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Face wants to stand but Thurston is controlling the position.
Thurston is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Face manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Thurston shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Face pinned against the cage. Face gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Face stalks Thurston and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thurston's face. Thurston staggers backwards, shaken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thurston slips a jab and a cross from Face.
Thurston shoots for a double leg takedown but Face sprawls well. He's pushed Thurston's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Face looks to land a combination but Thurston avoids it well.
Face throws a right and a left that Thurston avoids nicely.
Thurston works the jab nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Face as Thurston shoots in.
Thurston throws a head kick but Face moves out of range.
Thurston shoots in looking for a takedown. Face tries to sprawl out of it but Thurston keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Face manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Face closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Aryah Thurston is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thurston shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Face pinned against the cage. Face gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A punch combination from Face misses.
Thurston tries for a takedown but Face sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Face misses with a head kick.
Face throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thurston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Thurston fails with a takedown attempt.
Face scores with a one two! Thurston had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Face misses with a series of wild punches.

Thurston feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Thurston stands up over Face, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Thurston trying to control but Face is working from the bottom.

Face manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Angel Face has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Face rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thurston moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Face throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thurston fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thurston slips a jab and a cross from Face.

Thurston shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Face's guard.
Thurston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Face is keeping the position for now.
Thurston showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Angel Face comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thurston has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aryah Thurston!